President's Report - December 2013

Albuquerque’s First Poet Laureate to Speak at CNM’s Graduation Ceremony

Hakim Bellamy, Albuquerque’s first Poet Laureate, was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at CNM’s Fall Graduation Ceremony on Dec. 7 at Tingley Coliseum. Bellamy is a national and regional Poetry Slam Champion and won three consecutive collegiate poetry slam titles at the University of New Mexico. He was also named Albuquerque’s best poet by the Alibi and Local IQ. More than 700 CNM graduates were to participate in the Graduation Ceremony. About 8,000 family members and supporters of the graduates were expected to attend.

CNM Closed for Winter Break Dec. 19 Through Jan. 1

All CNM campuses and offices will be closed for Winter Break from Dec. 19 through Jan. 1. CNM will return to normal operations on Jan. 2. Happy holidays from CNM!

CNM Offers Extended Hours When It Reopens After Winter Break on Jan. 2

When CNM reopens after the Winter Break, the Main, Montoya, Rio Rancho, South Valley and Westside campuses will provide extended hours for Student Services offices. CNM’s Student Services offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2, and Friday, Jan. 3, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4. The 2014 Spring Term begins Monday, Jan. 6.

Registration Continues for 2014 Spring Term

If you’re interested in taking classes in the Spring Term, check out the 2014 Spring Term Schedule of Classes at cnm.edu. The Spring Term begins on Jan. 6 and registration continues through Jan. 5 for full-term classes. CNM also offers short-term courses that start later in the Spring Term. Go to cnm.edu or call 224-3000 for more information.

CNM Signs Transfer Agreement with ENMU

CNM recently signed a transfer agreement with Eastern New Mexico University that allows students taking career technical education courses at CNM – such as drafting, welding and culinary arts – to transfer their credits to ENMU in pursuit of a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences. Some programs allow students to earn their degree online. This is the first agreement of its kind in New Mexico. Typically, universities don’t accept many of the credit hours required for associate degrees in career technical education fields. For more information, call 224-3000.

Green Chamber of Commerce Recognizes CNM as a Top Recycler

CNM was recently recognized by the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce for its efforts to recycle and reduce waste going to landfills. CNM was one of 17 organizations statewide to receive the honor on “America Recycles Day,” Nov. 15. “CNM has made a strong commitment to sustainability and we have made tremendous progress over the last several years to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Luis Campos, executive director of CNM’s Physical Plant. “We would like to see a zero waste campus in which all waste is diverted from the landfill. The goal for CNM is to increase the percentage of recycled material each year by three percent.”

CNM Honors Presbyterian for Investment in Students

Presbyterian Healthcare Services recently donated $100,000 to fund scholarships for CNM students in the healthcare fields. To honor Presbyterian’s investment in the success of students, CNM announced that Presbyterian is now the official sponsor of the area in the newly renovated Jeannette Stromberg Hall that houses state-of-the-art Nursing Labs, Surgical Technology Labs and Simulation Labs that serve a variety of healthcare programs.

Amid Laughter, Girl Scouts Learn They Can Do Anything During CNM Tour

How many little girls can fit in the cab of a big rig? At least 11, faculty and staff from CNM’s School of Applied Technologies learned recently. The girls – Girl Scouts from Troop 10448 – visited several CNM programs on a recent field trip. One stop was the truck driving lab, where they all piled into a semi’s cab. Then they pretended they were on their way to New York City. “All the girls had so much fun,” said Denise Ojeda, chair of CNM’s Construction Department who helped organize the visit. "It's important for the girls to know that they can do anything they set their minds to." The girls, all between the ages of eight and 10, also got to do hands-on activities in several other AT labs. They raced solar cars in the electrical/photovoltaic lab and watched welding demonstrations, all wearing industrial welding helmets. Then they took their turns at a welding simulator set up for them to try their hands at welding. The final stop was the culinary school where Chef Penny Derose gave a tour of the new culinary labs and had treats awaiting them.

Instructor Champions RoboRave in Alburquerque (Spain)

Fabian Lopez recently went to Alburquerque, Spain, trying to interest the local schools and students in participating in his favorite project -- RoboRAVE International. (Yes, there’s an “r” after the first “u” in Alburquerque, Spain.) “We want our sister city in Spain to be part of our annual competition that attracts more than 1,600 students to Albuquerque, N.M., to see who has built the best robot,” said Lopez, a 31-year CNM veteran who teaches classes in robotics, micro-machines, electronics and math. He’s also the co-founder of Albuquerque’s annual RoboRAVE International. And yes, there’s an “r” after the first “u” in Alburquerque, Spain. This wasn’t the first time Lopez has traveled to Europe to entice school officials and students to join the contest. In September 2012, he and other RoboRAVE representatives went to the Czech Republic. As a result, teams from the Central European country came to Albuquerque to compete in the 2013 RoboRAVE International. The 2014 event (May 1-3) is expected to draw students with their hand-built robots from 25 New Mexico counties and from the countries of Colombia, China, the Czech Republic, Mexico and Spain.

Donations Continue

CNM’s grateful for recent donations to the CNM Foundation from these donors:

Julia B. Bowdich

Dan and Mary Ann Bunten

Adrian and Michelle Chavez

Citi

Carl and Kathleen Diegert

Energy Technology Environmental Business Association

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

The Honorable Judge Alan Malott

Bruce Malott and Marla Wood

Robert and Betsy Murphy

PNM

Presbyterian Healthcare Services

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday Season! Kathie W. Winograd CNM President